a couple of questions.....

Hi All
I am new to the forum, have read a lot here and I really like the folks that take the time to answer questions. I am recently disabled, and just picked up a 94 Ram 1500 as a project or hobby to work on for a few hours at a time as pain and money permit. OK, for the first question, how hard would it be and what would be involved to remove the electronic controls from the engine and tranny? I would like to keep the fuel injection and ABS system but as far as I am concerned the rest could go. Second question, after sitting overnight the tranny doesnt want to engage any gear (slips badly) until about 7 or 8 seconds after being put into gear. After that, it shifts out fine and doesnt slip nor "hunt" for a gear. I have the original owners manual that states that it is common for the truck to take a few seconds for the torque converter to "pump up" after a prolonged period of sitting, but overnight? Third question, I would love to replace the headlamp bulbs with the super bright almost blue ones like seen on the high dollar European imports but dont know if they will work or if they will draw too much current or overheat the headlamp buckets. I have one headlamp bucket (drivers side) that needs to be replaced due to water getting into it (almost an inch deep), but it looks like I would have to remove the bumper to get to the bottom bolt on the headlamp bucket assembly. Any hints? The truck is a 1994 Ram 1500 SLT, 5.9 (360) V-8, 4x4, all the bells and whistles from the factory. I found it on a dealers lot, and they wanted $6995.00 for it. Truck is in perfect shape body wise, shows 173,000 on the clock, and I got it for $2600.00 after some haggling. Motor is STRONG and doesnt burn any oil nor leak. Thank you in advance for your thoughts and replies. MOPARS forever

I'm not 100% sure, but I think youre transmission is electronically controlled, and the sensors and such feed back to the engine to help with timing and power output. It's not like the old 727's that were fully hydraulically activated. I don't know that if remove the sensors and such if it would still work properly, or work at all.

Don't know about the actual replacement of the 'buckets', but swapping in a new set up bulbs should be fine, as long as they draw the same amount of power as the stock ones.

As far as taking a few seconds to engage, with that many miles I'd definitely do a fluid and filter change for the trans.

Fred
Thanks for your reply. Yes, the tranny and the torque converter are both electronically controlled which leads me to wonder if they would work properly without input from the ECM. I did a fluid and filter change after posting the questions to the forum. The dealer where I bought the truck had indicated that all fluids were changed prior to selling the truck. I found that they werent telling me the truth (surprise???). I then flushed the tranny and converter but still am having the same problem. It isnt really bad, and after putting it in gear the first time and letting it pump up (about 5 seconds) it shifts like a champ the rest of the day. Guess I will just have to live with it LOL. As for the headlights, I was referring to the assembly that holds the headlight and the turn signal/marker light. The bottom headlight aiming screw hole in the assembly has torn or worn through and I dont see a way to repair it other than to change out the assembly. Thanks again for your reply.........take care

Happy to supply the (limited) help I did. Sounds like for the headlight you need to change the whole thing, as you said.

For the trans, I'm thinking that there is a slow leak somewhere inside that is letting the pressure out overnight. I wouldn't have a clue as to where it is or if it will cause a problem anytime soon.

As my brother says, "if it works good, just drive it till you have to fix it"...guess that may apply here, too.